Season 08/09

Once again, the season has finally come to a close. No matter what we do we will never change what has already gone down on the history books. Barcelona are the kings of Europe. Shakhtar are the last winners of the Uefa Cup. Manchester United are the champions of England and the world. Chelsea are the holders for England's oldest competition. These are the facts and will be what the 2008/2009 season is remembered for. Here are the season recaps for selected teams:

• Manchester United-Began the season slowly but gradually picked it up and got their season on track. They started the season as defending champions of Europe and England. They were looking to equal Liverpool's 18 league titles. To begin the season, they went to Japan and brushed aside teams from all over the world, winning the Fifa Club World Cup. It was a different story, however, for the Red Devils in the Premier League. Liverpool were leading the league table by 8 points. But due to a few slip-ups by Liverpool, Man U went on to win the league after drawing at home to Arsenal. They were knocked out of the FA Cup by Everton in the semi-finals. They won the 'League Cup' early in the season to firmly have their sights on all five titles. In their last game of the season, Manchester United looked to defend their European crown from FC Barcelona in Rome. They failed, though, like many other teams who have tried. Even so, Man U have had a season to remember and they will no doubt look to have a season like this one again.
• Liverpool FC-They have failed to shine in previous seasons but this season will be a bright lamp in a dark room. They started the season as underdogs for the league title because they were out of the title race by February last season. Liverpool, however, were determined to win it this season and beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to end Chelsea's long-standing home unbeaten run. In fact, Liverpool were unbeaten in the league until they traveled to London and got beat by Tottenham. They did not face another defeat until a lost to Middlesbrough. They were knocked-out of the Champions league by Chelsea, leaving the Premier League as Liverpool's only source of silverware. They were really in control for most of the season, but blew it toward the end of the season, leaving Man U to the title, finishing 2nd. Although Liverpool did not get any silverware this season, they improved rather dramatically in terms of performances and consistancy and will hope to use this season as a stepping-stone for a successful campaign three months on.
• Chelsea FC-Chelsea overall will want to forget this season despite winning the FA Cup. They not only lost their home unbeaten record, they saw Stamford Bridge turn from a fortress to a hunting ground for teams such as Newcastle United. They were knocked out of the Champions League by eventual champions Barcelona. Chelsea now have got Carlo Ancelotti as manager and will look to improve on their performace next term. Premier League, beware!
• Arsenal-Have one of the youngest teams and lacked consistency. That was the story of Arsenal's campaign last season. For a while, it looked like Arsenal were not going to finish within the top four. Luckily, they picked it up towards the end of the season with the help of new recruit Arshavin and got the Champions League play-off place. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will have to come up with something new if his team are to do any better next season. But do not start to write them off just yet. They may pull a few surpises next season and could maybe be title contenders. Only time will tell. We will just have to wait and see.